WIRED Tests the Best Kids’ Backpacks for the 2026 School Year
WIRED reviewers had their own children test backpacks for weeks or even years, and the roundup highlights the toughest, most comfortable picks for the 2026 school year, from L.L.Bean to GoRuck.
WIRED’s roundup of kids’ backpacks is based on testing by the reviewers’ own children, from pre-schoolers to teenagers. The bags had to protect tablets and Chromebooks, fit lunch boxes and water bottles, survive being kicked around cars, bikes and school gyms, and still be comfortable and easy to spot on a hook full of similar backpacks. The guide was updated in August 2026 with new models from The North Face, Simple Modern, Kindred Bravely and GoRuck.
Best Overall: L.L. Bean Deluxe Book Pack
The L.L. Bean Deluxe Book Pack took the top spot. It’s a large 37-liter backpack made of 420-denier nylon and is water resistant. Recommended for ages 10 and up, it has a mesh side pocket for a water bottle, a couple of flat zippered pockets and room for an embroidered name. Even after a trip through the washing machine to clean up spilled yogurt and marker stains, it looked almost as good as new.
Best Upgrade: State Bags Kane Double Pocket
The State Bags Kane Double Pocket is pricier but offers two separate compartments, so dirty clothes or muddy shoes can be kept away from delicate electronics. With a 23.6-liter capacity, it fits up to a 15-inch laptop. Made of recycled polyester, it’s water resistant but not waterproof. It also has two water bottle pockets, a luggage pass-through and a hidden AirTag pocket.
Best Heavy-Duty: GoRuck KR1
The GoRuck KR1 kids’ pack costs $65 and is built from 1000D Cordura with a 200D back panel to protect clothing. Designed for ages 4 to 11, it has a 13-liter capacity and looks almost new after nearly four years of use. The second version comes in more colors and has a larger, easier-to-access kangaroo pocket. Padded shoulder straps keep heavy loads from digging into kids’ shoulders, and there’s an internal sleeve for a tablet.
A Cool First Backpack: Storq Cool Kid
Storq, a subsidiary of the maternity brand Kindred Bravely, launched the Cool Kid backpack for younger children. It features a large front pouch, two slim side pockets that fit a 16-ounce Owala bottle, and a main zippered compartment with a spot for a name. The backpack is made of heavyweight nylon that can be wiped clean, and personalization with a child’s name costs an extra $15.
Other Notable Picks
The REI Co-op Tarn 18 is a hiking backpack that an 8-year-old used all summer at camp; its 18-liter capacity isn’t ideal for school folders, but it has chest and waist straps, six exterior pockets and a mesh back panel. The Herschel Heritage is a durable classic that held up through college, with a 15-inch laptop sleeve but no water bottle pocket. The Fjällräven Kånken with a 13-inch laptop sleeve is stylish and customizable, but thin straps may be uncomfortable for younger kids. The North Face Recon, for ages 12 and up, survived a year of lockers, soccer practice and summer camps; it has a 30-liter capacity, multiple compartments and dual water bottle pockets. Calpak’s Kids Backpack comes as part of a bundle with a lunch box and ice packs, though it’s less polished than the State bag. The Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie also appears on the list.
